Good Cloud Mountain, Hall of Sharp Virtue.
"Young Master Tang, a letter has arrived from Azure Fall Palace." Shao Yanping held an envelope and lightly knocked on Tang Lici's door. A few days prior, A Shui and her child had departed for Luoyang, escorted by several female disciples from the Sword Association, and they were currently safe. After A Shui's departure, Tang Lici had spent seven or eight days recuperating, and his injuries had since healed. Upon hearing of their master's severe wounds, Ten Thousand Apertures House had sent a continuous stream of rare and invaluable healing medicines, as well as bizarrely extravagant protective charms to the Hall of Sharp Virtue. Though Ten Thousand Apertures House was not a martial sect, their sheer presence and influence left Shao Yanping feeling somewhat overwhelmed. In stark contrast to their fervent attentiveness, the residence of the Imperial Father-in-Law remained eerily silent, as if Tang Lici were not their adopted son at all.
"A letter?" Tang Lici reclined on the bed, clad in white silk adorned with pearls. Though the weather was still warm, autumn was gradually setting in, and the cuffs and collars of his robes were trimmed with delicate white marten fur, accentuated by luminous pearls, lending an air of exquisite elegance. The bedding, furniture, and even the dining utensils had all been replaced with new ones. He now rested against a pearwood bed inlaid with auspicious beasts and floral motifs, wrapped in a flawless, lightweight silk quilt. The table was an octagonal scholar's tea table inlaid with mother-of-pearl and painted with birds and flowers, upon which lay a sandalwood ruyi scepter adorned with jade. The wine vessel was a pear-shaped rhino horn flask carved with pixiu patterns. Though Tang Lici's demeanor and speech remained unchanged regardless of the room's opulence, every time Shao Yanping stepped inside, he felt an intangible pressure—likely no less than what one might experience before the emperor's dragon bed, draped in brocade and surrounded by luxury.
"The letter is from Azure Fall Palace. I haven't read its contents yet." Shao Yanping handed over the missive, freshly delivered by a fast horse. "I doubt this was written by Wan Yu Yuedan, haha." Tang Lici set down the copy of The Three Character Classic he had been perusing and slowly unfolded the letter. The handwriting was delicate and neat, but he read it at an excruciatingly slow pace. Shao Yanping had already peeked over his shoulder two or three times before Tang Lici finally finished. After a long while, Tang Lici folded the letter and smiled faintly. "Hong Guniang was nowhere to be seen during the battle at Good Cloud Mountain. So she was at Azure Fall Palace." Shao Yanping frowned deeply. "She begged Wan Yu Yuedan to save Liu Yan, claiming there’s another conspiracy within Dissolute Shop. But that woman appears fragile while being cunning at heart—out of ten words she speaks, perhaps only one or two can be trusted. Is Wan Yu Yuedan truly going to help her rescue him?" Tang Lici replied, "Even without Hong Guniang’s plea, Wan Yu Yuedan would still be searching for Liu Yan. Right now, who in the martial world isn’t looking for him? Only by finding Liu Yan can we obtain the antidote for the Ape-Demon Nine Hearts Pill, and only with the antidote can lives be saved." He rose from the bed. "Hong Guniang sought out Azure Fall Palace not just for news about Liu Yan—I suspect she has another motive. By sending me this letter, Wan Yu Yuedan is warning me that the situation has taken a new turn.""Another purpose? What purpose? Assassinating Wan Yu Yuedan?" Shao Yanping shrugged. "With just a delicate young girl who knows no martial arts..." Tang Lici glanced sideways at him. "Perhaps, it's true." Shao Yanping sighed. "Really? If you had insisted it was impossible, I'd feel more at ease." Tang Lici retrieved a crystal bowl woven with mixed threads from the rosewood cabinet behind him. Inside were several washed fruits of strange shapes and colors, unlike anything Shao Yanping had seen before. He placed the bowl on the table. "These fruits come from distant foreign lands. Though their taste may not be exceptional, they have health benefits. Please help yourself." Shao Yanping took one and bit into it—it was quite sweet. "Do you really think that Hong Guniang would attempt to assassinate Wan Yu Yuedan?"
"The encirclement of Dissolute Shop by Azure Fall Palace and the Sword Association is already evident. If Liu Yan is truly found, do you think Azure Fall Palace and the Sword Association would ever spare his life?" Tang Lici smiled faintly. "Even if I had no intention to kill him, the world believes he must die—once such a situation arises, Liu Yan has no chance of survival. So to save him, we must first break this encirclement, then plunge the world into chaos where everyone fears for their own safety. Only then will Liu Yan have a sliver of hope to survive. For this slim chance, Hong Guniang choosing to kill Wan Yu Yuedan is logical. But who is Wan Yu Yuedan? He surely understands the crux of the matter as well. Hong Guniang is exceedingly cunning—how she might act, I truly cannot guess." Shao Yanping chewed the fruit, mumbling, "And what about the letter mentioning internal strife within Dissolute Shop—how credible is that?" Tang Lici replied, "Completely." Shao Yanping was startled. Tang Lici, clad in white with fur-trimmed sleeves, leaned slightly against the gilded floral cabinet, his demeanor both languid and radiant, his smile brimming with amusement. "Has Master Shao met Wan Yu Yuedan in person?" Shao Yanping nodded. "Of course I have." Tang Lici chuckled softly. "Then would you dare lie in front of Wan Yu Yuedan?" Shao Yanping shook his head. "No." Tang Lici flicked his sleeve slightly, the Marrow Cleansing Silver Bracelet swaying against the snowy fabric, making his robes appear even whiter. "Exactly. Hong Guniang is brilliant—in such matters, she would never perform worse than you." Shao Yanping laughed heartily, unbothered. "Fair point. As for the letter’s mention of the mastermind behind Dissolute Shop, does Young Master Tang have any theories?" Tang Lici's lips curved slightly. "I..." He hesitated, then coughed lightly. "It's too early to speak of this—it would only sow unrest. Wild speculation would panic the Sword Association. Best not to discuss it." Shao Yanping nodded repeatedly. "After finally defeating Dissolute Shop, if we were to suggest the mastermind still lives, no one could accept it. Let’s keep it between us." Tang Lici inclined his head. As Shao Yanping turned to leave, he suddenly added, "Ah, right. Peach Girl gave me a brocade pouch—said she obtained it from the abbot of White Horse Temple and asked me to pass it to you." Tang Lici's brow furrowed briefly before lifting. "A brocade pouch?" Shao Yanping retrieved a small peach-colored pouch embroidered with twin lotus flowers from his sleeve, a sly smile creeping onto his face. "I thought this girl had some interest in Pu Zhu, but it seems she also—haha..." He placed the pouch on the table. "I’ll take my leave now. Take your time with it."Luoyang White Horse Temple... Tang Lici opened the brocade pouch. Inside, there wasn't a single written character—just a lock of black hair. When sniffed, it carried no scent whatsoever. What an intriguing gift indeed. His eyelids lowered slightly as his thoughts wandered. He discarded the pouch on the table and swept his sleeves as he stepped out.
The misty scenery of the Hall of Sharp Virtue resembled an immortal realm. A man walked steadily with shoulders level, passing slowly by Tang Lici's room. Two Sword Association disciples happened to walk down the corridor and bowed upon seeing him. "Puzhu Shangshi." Pu Zhu gave a slight nod and strode past with the bearing of a dragon and tiger. The disciples praised, "Just as the rumors say, though he doesn't shave his head or take vows, Shangshi is a dignified and upright Buddhist monk. Seeing him always feels like beholding a living arhat." The other nodded repeatedly. "Young Master Tang is refined and wise beyond measure, Puzhu Shangshi is peerless in martial arts and profound in Buddhist studies, while Cheng Daxia and Elder Dong are also masters among masters. The Sword Association's current strength is unprecedented."
"Master Shao." After delivering the letter to Tang Lici, Shao Yanping strolled leisurely in his garden, hands clasped behind his back, enjoying a rare moment of peace. Before he could even take two deep breaths, Pu Zhu pushed the door open. Hearing that unchanging, steady tone, Shao Yanping felt the urge to sigh. Turning around with a smile, he said, "Puzhu Shangshi, one doesn't visit the temple without cause. Has something important happened?" Pu Zhu replied calmly, "No. Only that matters here are concluded, and I thought to bid farewell to the Sword Association before returning to Shaolin Temple." Shao Yanping exclaimed, "Ah! I heard Shaolin is convening a grand assembly soon to resolve the unresolved matter of the abbot's position. Are you returning for this?" Pu Zhu nodded. "Shaolin will hold a month-long assembly where thirty-eight monks of the 'Da' and 'Pu' generations will participate in contests of martial arts and Buddhist doctrine. Each will demonstrate their strengths, and the entire temple will select one as abbot." Shao Yanping made a sound of surprise. "Wouldn't that turn into a martial arts and debate competition? Whoever has the highest martial prowess and most silver tongue becomes Shaolin's abbot?" Pu Zhu shook his head lightly. "The contests are merely to display each one's strengths. Victory or defeat holds no importance, nor will the temple choose based on such." Shao Yanping remarked, "Shaolin's thinking is truly transcendent. I wonder how many share your level of enlightenment... Ah, my apologies, my apologies. Shangshi's mind is clear as a mirror; surely you won't mind my careless words. By the way, what of that Peach Girl?" he asked. "Is she leaving with you?"
Pu Zhu paused slightly. "She came from her origin and will go to her destination. As one who has left the secular world, I do not presume to decide others' comings and goings." Shao Yanping laughed. "Well said, well said. If Shaolin were to have Puzhu Shangshi as abbot, it would be Shaolin's fortune." Pu Zhu replied mildly, "Ha! As long as one cultivates with a tranquil heart and devout faith, what difference does it make who becomes abbot?" Chanting "Amitabha," he turned and left, his back straight, steps solemn—each stride resonating like temple bells, blooming like lotuses, the Buddha ever present in his heart.
Shaolin Temple's grand assembly to select an abbot meant the Martial Arts World's focus would soon shift from the Dissolute Shop and Central Plains Sword Association to Shaolin. Thousands of martial artists would likely gather to observe. Shao Yanping's mind raced, scheming whether he could find an excuse to witness the spectacle. To miss such a grand event would be nothing short of a cosmic waste!At this very moment, in Xifang Tao's room, someone stepped through the door just as she was about to leave. An arm stretched across the doorframe, blocking her exit. Xifang Tao took a step back, while the figure advanced, still barring the door with a sleeve adorned with snowy white fur. The elegant smile gave no hint that this person had suffered severe injuries just ten days prior—it was Tang Lici.
Xifang Tao's bright eyes flickered. "To what do I owe the sudden visit, Young Master Tang?"
Tang Lici replied, "I came to thank Peach Girl for the kindness of the brocade pouch."
Xifang Tao smiled gracefully. "Young Master Tang is too polite. It was but a trifle—hardly worth mentioning."
In a flash, Tang Lici seized her right hand and pinned it against the wall, pressing close. His strikingly beautiful face loomed near, his eyes smiling yet his peach-blossom complexion—usually tender and amorous—now carried a sinister, almost eerie intensity at such proximity. "Where have you hidden him?"
Suddenly pinned against the wall, Xifang Tao showed neither shock, fear, nor anger—only the same faint smile. "I'm afraid I don't understand what Young Master Tang means."
Tang Lici's red lips curled slightly, though not in a smile, making the expression unnervingly strange. "Pu Zhu isn't here. It's just the two of us now. Continuing this act would only make it second-rate."
Xifang Tao laughed charmingly. "You truly are unpredictable. Whether as an enemy or a friend, crossing paths with Young Master Tang makes life worthwhile. You ask me where I've hidden that person—but I'd like to know... whose hair do you think that lock belonged to?" She tilted her head to meet his gaze, her eyes shimmering with delicate allure.
Tang Lici slowly dragged her pinned right hand down the wall. For an ordinary person, having their arm wrenched backward and forced downward would be excruciating—likely dislocating the shoulder if pulled further. Yet Xifang Tao remained composed, her expression serene and unbothered, as if it were nothing.
Her hand was pulled all the way behind her waist. Tang Lici's breath brushed against her, and the act of pinning her against the wall transformed into an embrace—as if he were pulling her into his arms.
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